Chapter 780: Chapter 780

Li Pin followed Mo Xuan to what was nominally regarded as the political center of the human race in the Astral World, the Myriad Astral God Hall.

The Hall itself was a massive complex of palaces, suspended high in the skies. In theory, such a location would be a natural target for the Eternal Oblivion Force.

Fortunately, Transcendent Jun Tian of the Supreme Council had personally laid down an immense formation that sealed off the entire palace complex. Thanks to this, the Hall gained a remarkable ability: it could resist both the detection and influence of the Eternal Oblivion Force.

The protection range was limited, but it was enough to earn the Hall its prestigious status among all of humanity. Countless Astral Gods competed fiercely for the chance to be stationed there.

After all, the moment a person entered the Myriad Astral God Hall, whether as a divine soldier or general, they would be shielded from the Eternal Oblivion Force. It meant a peaceful life, and for many, essentially immortality.

Because of this, the Hall had become a hotspot where powerful figures arranged for their relatives and close associates to reside as divine soldiers and generals.

Out of a hundred thousand divine troops, fewer than a thousand actually held real combat capability. The rest, nearly ninety-nine thousand, spent their days in leisure, enjoying an eternal life free from worry.

This was also why, whenever the Myriad Astral God Hall dispatched its hundred thousand-strong army to capture a major human criminal, the mission often ended in utter failure.

The most well-known case was that of Shana Divine Mountain.

Its founders included only a single Sacred Monarch and a few Tyrants. It was hardly a match for the Myriad Astral God Hall, which boasted over a dozen Heavenly Emperors.

Yet to this day, Shana Divine Mountain remained alive and well, surviving all of the Hall's pursuits.

That said, the Myriad Astral God Hall undeniably held a position above all others. Cloaked in Transcendent power that shielded it from the Eternal Oblivion Force, the entire court radiated peace and harmony. And in a place free of worry, people naturally turned their attention to entertainment, leisure, and the arts.

Led by a Heavenly General, Li Pin and Mo Xuan entered through the southern gate. What greeted them were ornate corridors and elegant jade balustrades, gardens blooming with flowers, breathtaking landscapes, sculptures, and intricate artistic designs at every turn.

Every so often, they could even "see" distant palaces belonging to Heavenly Lords and Heavenly Emperors, where music, dancing, and laughter echoed through the air.

Li Pin couldn't help but feel out of place. "This is the center of power for the human race?"

"The situation in the Myriad Astral God Hall is rather complicated," Mystic Emperor Mo Xuan explained. "Among the many palaces here, those established by the Heavenly Emperors alone include the Five Celestial Emperor Palaces, the Five Elder Supreme Palaces, and the Ten Imperial Palaces.

"Beyond those, the Sacred Monarchs and Tyrants have built countless more. Some among these Heavenly Emperors, Sacred Monarchs, and Tyrants are genuinely committed to serving the human race. But many believe they've already fulfilled their duty—and now, they simply indulge in pleasure."

His inner spirit fluctuation eased slightly as he went on, "There are others too, like representatives from factions like the Heaven Ordainment Sect, the Omni-Merchant Guild, and the Endless Divine Mountain.

They've occupied key positions to restrain the influence of Supreme Heavenly Emperor Zhongtian Jin'que, keeping him from consolidating too much power and using the banner of righteousness to impose his will across the world."

Li Pin instantly grasped what Mo Xuan meant. "Righteousness..."

The Myriad Astral God Hall was recognized as the legitimate governing body of the human race. Its nature was similar to the Supreme Council across the vast cosmos.

If the Central Sovereign Heavenly Emperor, Jin'que ever seized too much power and unified the Hall under his rule, it would spell disaster for every other faction. Worse still, he might actually enforce the Hall's ideals and bring the entire human race across the Astral World under one banner.

This situation reminded Li Pin of the early days of the Gaia Alliance, when the Six Extremities and other factions gathered together to discuss Gaia's future.

Everyone acknowledged the Alliance's legitimacy and respected its efforts toward unity, prosperity, and stability. But if the Alliance ever attempted to wield real power, the Six Extremities would be the first to object.

As Mo Xuan explained the true nature of the Myriad Astral God Hall to Li Pin, the Divine General had already led them to a grand cluster of palaces. There, the Divine Emperor Xi was already waiting for them.

The two exchanged warm smiles and greeted each other.

"Divine Martial." ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ N()velFire.net

As peers at the pinnacle of the human race, they were naturally well acquainted, and seemingly on good terms. At least, everything appeared cordial on the surface.

"This must be Li Pin, the most exceptional prodigy to emerge from the Sacred Flame Hall in recent years—the Light of Origin, am I right?"

Divine Emperor Xi gave Li Pin a measured look, then praised sincerely, "A true young hero, with a spirit that soars beyond the heavens. If you can keep that mindset, I believe your name will one day echo throughout the Astral World."

"No need to wait for the future," Mo Xuan said with a smile. "Once he finishes this Ten Thousand Tribes Dominion War, I expect the entire Astral World will already know who he is."

Divine Emperor Xi paused for a moment before letting out a laugh. "I almost forgot. You're taking part in the Prodigy Competition. With your cultivation and strength, you easily rank among the strongest in the tournament's history.

"As long as you stay alert and avoid any traps, you should easily win a match that not only brings benefits to our Human Race but also earns you glory."

"Respecting my opponents is respecting myself. I'll give my all in every fight. I won't underestimate anyone," Li Pin replied.

"Haha, it's rare to see such humility in someone with your level of talent. That eases my mind about your participation in the Prodigy Competition," Divine Emperor Xi said with a smile.

With a wave of his hand, he gestured, "Come inside. The contenders of the Overlord Competition are quite curious about you, Light of Origin. Many are eager to cross blades with you."

Li Pin nodded. "So am I."

The two made their way into the inner hall of the palace.

Thanks to Divine Emperor Xi's prior instructions, as soon as Li Pin, Mo Xuantian, and the others arrived, the eyes of the several dozen Overlord Competition contenders all turned toward them.

Their gazes were filled with curiosity, amusement, and scrutiny.

Li Pin, however, paid no attention to the crowd and focused solely on a lone figure playing chess—Emperor Ara.

Before arriving, he had already reviewed everyone's information. Among all the participants in the Overlord Competition, the only one he saw as a real threat was Emperor Ara, the direct disciple of a Divine Emperor. It's said that Emperor Ara was flawless in every regard. He was a supreme prodigy being groomed to become a Divine Emperor.

As for the others... well, they'd serve as a nice warm-up before I take on Emperor Ara, thought Li Pin.

As Li Pin scanned the room, the others, each at least a Tyrant-level contender, were sizing him up as well.

Soon, however, they noticed that Li Pin's gaze didn't linger on any of them. Instead, his focus was entirely on Emperor Ara, with battle intent in his eyes.

This caused many to frown.

Luo Wuji's expression darkened. "What's that supposed to mean? He's not even acknowledging us?"

"Hah, looks like in the eyes of this so-called Light of Origin, none of us are even worth his attention, except for Emperor Ara," Zi Zaitian said with a chuckle, smiling. "A newborn calf does not fear a tiger. Seems like he has no idea what kind of opponents he's about to face."

Zi Zaitian carried a breezy air, yet his smile never truly touched his eyes.

Even Wu Meng, who had once been recommended by the Sacred Flame Hall like Li Pin and should have naturally felt a sense of kinship, responded coldly to Li Pin's attitude. "Arrogant."

Luo Wuji followed immediately, "This Li Pin is a bit too arrogant. Overconfidence leads to defeat. The outcome of the Ten Thousand Tribes Dominion War will determine not just the power balance for the next era, but the cosmic fate of the races. There's no room for mistakes."

He glanced at Zi Zaitian. "Even if he's not competing in the Overlord Competition, as the lead representative of the Prodigy Division, if he lets this arrogance cost us a match we should have won, it won't just bring shame to our people—it'll cost the human race a huge share of future benefits. So, for his sake and ours...

"Let me take the initiative and teach this Light of Origin a lesson. He needs to learn that there's always someone stronger, always a higher peak to climb."

"No need," said Zi Zaitian as he stood up. "He said he wants to rank among the top ten. In that case, it should be me who tests him. If he wins, and any of you still aren't convinced, you'll get your chance afterward."

"Win?" scoffed Luo Wuji.

He let out a faint chuckle but didn't press the matter further.

He, and everyone else present, didn't believe Li Pin stood a chance against Zi Zaitian, even if he had reached the eighty-fifth step of the Supreme Ladder.

The Supreme Ladder only represented one's potential ceiling, and the gap between potential and actual strength was far from trivial.

"The Light of Origin," Divine Emperor Xi chuckled as he saw Zi Zaitian rise to his feet. "Let me introduce—"

"That won't be necessary," Zi Zaitian interrupted flatly. "If he doesn't even know the details of the opponent he's about to challenge, then he's not fit to be my opponent. Whether I know his name or he knows mine makes no difference."

Li Pin's gaze followed the voice and landed on him. "Zi Zaitian. I know you."

"Oh?" Zi Zaitian replied with indifference. "And?"

Li Pin scanned the room. "Seems like many of you have a problem with me."

Yan Sheng stepped forward, tone laced with helplessness as he tried to ease the tension. "Li Pin, no one doubts your talent. Given a few more tens of thousands of years to grow, you'd no doubt have a place in the Overlord Competition. But right now..."

His words were sincere, perhaps because they both hailed from the Sacred Flame Hall. "Focus your time and energy on the Prodigy Competition. You're strong, but if the opponents specifically set their sights on you, even you might not make it to the end."

"I appreciate the reminder, Lord Yan Sheng," Li Pin nodded in acknowledgment. "But I believe if I can compete in the Prodigy Competition, I can compete in the Overlord Competition as well."

With that, he glanced once more over the gathered contenders. This time, his gaze lingered not only on Luo Wuji, Zi Zaitian, and Wu Meng but also on Xuan Chengming, Yue Shu, and even Emperor Ara.

"If you're really so dissatisfied with me..." He pulled off his outer robe and tossed it to the floor. "Come. Beat me."